Attachment for quick change of immersion heating elements in electric hot water heaters

ABSTRACT

The present novel method of removing and replacing the electric element of an electric hot water heater without draining the water comprises closing the cold water to and the hot water lines from the heater, mounting a water receiving device against the water tank adjacent to the plate supporting the electric element in the water tank, loosening the plate and permitting free water to run into the device, removing and replacing the element, and disposing of the free water. The present novel basket device for receiving free water includes an open-ended basin with controlled drain, and means for removably mounting the basket device about the electric element supporting plate secured to the water tank.

United States Patent Schmidt us] 3,692,210 [451 Sept. 19,1972

[72] Inventor: Jerome G. Schmidt, Route 2, Imperial, Mo. 63052 [22] Filed: April 13, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 27,960

[52] US. Cl. ..220/23.4, 220/1 C, 220/18 [51] Int. Cl.-. ..B65d 21/02 [58] Field of Search.220l23.4, 5, 85 R, 85 SP, 23.83,

220/23.86, 20.5, 18, l C, DIG. 6

[56] Reierences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 686,954 11/1901 Riley ..220/ 18 X 1 ,063,724 6/1913 Patterson ..220/ 1 C 2,310,390 2/ 1943 Bridges et a1 ..220/18 2,631,078 3/1953 Watrous et al ..220/18 X 2,712,395 7/1955 Wiggins ..220/DlG. 6 2,717,717 9/1955 Busch ..220/18 3,001,664 9/ 1961 Flint ..220/18 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,359,000 3/1964 France ..220/85 R Primary Examiner-Joseph R. Leclair Assistant Examiner-James R. Garrett Anomey-Kingsland, Rogers, Ezell, Eilers & Robbins [57] ABSTRACT The present novel method of removing and replacing the electric element of an electric hot water heater without draining the water comprises closing the cold water to and the hot water lines from the heater, mounting a water receiving device against the water tank adjacent to the plate supporting the electric element in the water tank, loosening the plate and permitting free water to run into the device, removing and replacing the element, and disposing of the free water. The present novel basket device for receiving free water includes an open-ended basin with controlled drain, and means for removably mounting the basket device about the electric element supporting plate secured to the water tank.

7 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTED SEP 19 m2 sum 2 or 2 /IV VEA/ TOR: JfPOME 6. ScHM/m;

ATTACHMENT FOR QUICK CHANGE OF IMMERSION HEATING ELEMENTS IN ELECTRIC HOT WATER HEATERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention I The present novel method and device relate generally to servicing electric hot water heaters, and

. more particularly to a method of and a device for I heaters, etc. Further, if electric power is. applied to the heater unit before the tank has been purged of excess air, and the water level is below the top'of the element,

immediate bum-out will occur. The present invention obviates this time loss, and insures full water cover for the electrical element as soon as the water line is opened. I

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION The present novel method of removing and replacing the electric element of an electric hot water heater includes closing the cold water line to and the hot water line from the heater, applying a water catcher adjacent the electric element supporting plate secured to the water tank, loosening the plate and permitting free water to run into the water catcher, replacing an electric element, and disposing of the free water. The present novel basket device includes a water basin or holder and means to removably hold such water basin or holder in substantially sealed relation about the hole in the water tank through which the electric element is inserted to receive free water released upon removing the plate supporting the electric element.

Objects of the present invention are to provide a novel method of and device for removing and replacing the electric element of an electric hot water heater without draining the water from the tank which materially reduce the time now required to remove and replace such electric elements, which can be readily FIG. 6 is a further. enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 6'--6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a further enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 7--7 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating one compression spring in operative position;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3, but with the electric immersion heating element unit removed and water in the basket;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a U-shaped sponge type gasket; v

' FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a U-plate;

FIG. 12 is a side view of one of the compression p g 1 FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a modified water receiving .device mounted on an electric hot water tank;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view thereof in the same relation as. FIG. 9, the electric immersion heating element being removed; r

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of one leg of the supporting I-I-brace;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the top portion thereof; and

FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of a modified U- plate.

DESCRIPTIONOF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT of the supported electric element 25 without draining carried out and used by those with average skill in the art, and which otherwise achieves objects and advantages sought, as is clear from the following description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a fragmentary front elevational view of an electric water heater showing generally the middle portion, parts being broken away to illustrate details;

FIG. 2 is the same view as FIG. I, but with the access plate removed;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view on substantially the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the present novel water receiving device being shown mounted in the access opening;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

the water from the tank 23. It will be understood that a cover plate 27 is removed from an access opening 18 in the outer jacket 19 of the water heater 22 prior to mounting the basket device 20 in position. The basket device 20 includes a water receiving basin 28, which may be of plastic as shown, or other materials, and which is illustrated as rectangular, but may take any convenient desired shape, having a sturdy top rim or head 29 and a drain plug 30 receiving a sealing threaded cap 31. The plug 30 is threaded to receive a hose which can be conveniently used at times. The basin 28 has an open end which is sealed, as by adhesive or otherwise, to a U-plate 33, the bight of which is arcuate to conform generally to a cylindrical water tank. At the free end of each leg of the U-plate 33 is an apertured vertically disposed tab 34 which receives an angularly disposed end 35 of the head 29 for additional support of the basin 28. Spaced studs 36 are secured to the'Iegs of the U-plate 33 (FIG. 11). Supporting rods 38 are pivotally connected at their lower ends to the head 29 by peened pins 39, or the like, each rod 38 having a split or forked upper end 40 to receive the edge of the opening 18 in the tank jacket 19. A simple threaded wing bolt 41 maintains each split end 40 secured in position (FIGS. 4 and 6).

Between the U-plate 33 and the water tank 23 is a U- shaped resilient member 43 of sponge rubber, or the like, of sufficient thickness permitting substantially water tight sealing compression. If desired, as for convenience, the resilient member 43 may be secured to the U-plate 33.

Compression springs 45 secure the U-plate 33 in position, one end of each spring 45 receiving a stud 36 and after compression a selected coil thereof engaging the inner surface of the tank jacket 19 (FIGS. 4 and 8).

in carrying out the present novel method of replacing the electricwater heating element 25 without draining the water 46 from the tank 23, the cold water line and the hot water supply line from the tank 23 are closed. The cover plate 27 is removed from the jacket 23 of the hot water heater 22. The basket device is mounted in the opening 18, as illustrated in the drawings and as above described, with the open end thereof disposed to receive free water 46 from'the tank 23. The bolts 24 securing the plate 26 to the tank 23 are loosened,

whereupon a relatively small quantity of water 46 will run into the basket device .20 until the indicated water level 47 covering'opening' 21 is reached, the remaining water staying in the tank 23 and lines under well-known principles. Check closure valves if water continues to flow. The bolts 24 then are removed. The plate 26 and attached electric element are removed and the latter repaired or replaced. The repaired or replaced electric element 25 is inserted through the opening 21 in the tank 23, the bolts 24 are replaced, the water 46 is drained from the basin 28 into a bucket, the basket device 20 is removed, the plate 27 is replaced, cold and hot water lines are opened, and the water heater 22 is ready for use. By use'of the present novel method, an

' electric element can be removed and replaced in less than half the time required in the usual method employed including draining a water tank.

In FIGS. 13-17 is illustrated a modified means for holding a modified U-plate 50 and basket device 20 against a water tank 23. The U-plate 50 includes an indentation 51 and a stud 52in each leg (FIG. 17). An H member 53, including a horizontal bar 55 and spaced legs 56, each with a right angularly disposed upper tip piece 57 is provided. With the tip pieces 57 engaged in the indentations 51, a strap 58 is wrapped around the H member 53 and tank jacket 19 to secure the latter to the former and the basket device 20 in position. The H- member 53 preferably is resilient to obtain better sealing action under the drawing effect of the strap 58. A suitable buckle 59, or the like, is provided for the strap 58.

It ismanifest that there have been provided a novel method and novel structure which fulfill the objects and advantages sought.

it is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings have been given by way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood that changes in form of the several parts, substitution of equivalent elements or steps, and rearrangement of parts or steps, which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

l. A device adapted for use in replacing heater units immersed in water tanks having meansto close off ingress of water to the tank and to enable a vacuum to be establigl ed in the rend of the nk, the tan having w means Wl an opening t eret roug into which a heater unit is mounted with a removable closure to cover and seal the openingwith said wall means extending a substantial distance above said opening, comprising the combination of: a liquid-holding basin adapted to be fitted against the wall means with its side walls extending above the opening, the basin walls having a vertical portion cut away in an area to receive the removable closure of the heater unit and to give access thereto, the basin walls adjacent the cut away part being adapted to be fluid tightly sealed against the tank wall means from above the top of the opening around the sides and bottom of the opening in the tank wall means so that the, basin can hold liquid to a level at the top of the opening, the basin being open at the top, and

being of such size as to give access to the opening for removal of the heating element and a replacement thereof, sealing means between the basin walls around the cut away part and the tank walls adapted to be sealed by forcing the basin against the tank to enable the basin to receive and hold water from the tank to a level above the opening when the heating element closure is removed, and removable means to urge the basin against the wall means to effect the sealing engagement between the basin and the wall means.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the vertical portion of the basin is cylindrical and has a resilient sealant secured to it, so that the basin may be urged into the sealing relationship to a cylindrical tank.

3. The device of claim 1 for use with a tank having an inner shell surrounded by insulation and an outer shell, with the opening for the heater unit passing through the inner shell and a larger opening surrounding the first opening and passing through the insulation and outer shell, the device being one wherein the vertical portion has its sealant in a U-shape open upwards, and of a size larger than the removable closure means of the heating element so as to seal on the inner tank shell thereabout, but smaller than the opening through the outer shell and insulation so that the sealant may seal against the inner shell.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the means to urge the basin against the wall means incorporates resilient force means.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein arms extend from the basin to the tank and are removably attachable to the tank to aid in supporting the basin on the tank.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the means to urge the basin against the wall means incorporates resilient force means comprising a resilient H-shaped member having legs engageable with the basin to urge the basin against the wall means, and strap means removably to secure the H-shaped member to the tank.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the H-shaped member has one pair of legs with inturned ends to pass through the hole in the insulation, the vertical portion of the basin having a flange at its sides engageable by the said pair of legs, the opening between the legs being large enough to fit around the basin. 

1. A device adapted for use in replacing heater units immersed in water tanks having means to close off ingress of water to the tank and to enable a vacuum to be established in the upper end of the tank, the tank having wall means with an opening therethrough into which a heater unit is mounted with a removable closure to cover and seal the opening with said wall means extending a substantial distance above said opening, comprising the combination of: a liquid-holding basin adapted to be fitted against the wall means with its side walls extending above the opening, the basin walls having a vertical portion cut away in an area to receive the removable closure of the heater unit and to give access thereto, the basin walls adjacent the cut away part being adapted to be fluid tightly sealed against the tank wall means from above the top of the opening around the sides and bottom of the opening in the tank wall means so that the basin can hold liquid to a level at the top of the opening, the basin being open at the top, and being of such size as to give access to the opening for removal of the heating element and replacement thereof, sealing means between the basin walls around the cut away part and the tank walls adapted to be sealed by forcing the basin against the tank to enable the basin to receive and hold water from the tank to a level aboVe the opening when the heating element closure is removed, and removable means to urge the basin against the wall means to effect the sealing engagement between the basin and the wall means.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the vertical portion of the basin is cylindrical and has a resilient sealant secured to it, so that the basin may be urged into the sealing relationship to a cylindrical tank.
 3. The device of claim 1 for use with a tank having an inner shell surrounded by insulation and an outer shell, with the opening for the heater unit passing through the inner shell and a larger opening surrounding the first opening and passing through the insulation and outer shell, the device being one wherein the vertical portion has its sealant in a U-shape open upwards, and of a size larger than the removable closure means of the heating element so as to seal on the inner tank shell thereabout, but smaller than the opening through the outer shell and insulation so that the sealant may seal against the inner shell.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the means to urge the basin against the wall means incorporates resilient force means.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein arms extend from the basin to the tank and are removably attachable to the tank to aid in supporting the basin on the tank.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the means to urge the basin against the wall means incorporates resilient force means comprising a resilient H-shaped member having legs engageable with the basin to urge the basin against the wall means, and strap means removably to secure the H-shaped member to the tank.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein the H-shaped member has one pair of legs with inturned ends to pass through the hole in the insulation, the vertical portion of the basin having a flange at its sides engageable by the said pair of legs, the opening between the legs being large enough to fit around the basin. 